Juneau Whale Watch Tour
 3-3.5 hrs |  From $155 13+ yrs old |  From $105 3-12 yrs old |  FREE 0-2 yrs old |
- Approximately 2 hours on-the-water whale watching for Humpback whales, sea lions, bald eagles, and other wildlife.
- Meet the stars of Auke Bay in their summer feeding grounds - the whales Sacha, Flame and many others.
- Customized boat sizes for panoramic views and optimal whale viewing.
- Select from a variety of departure times.
Join us for the best show in town, a 3-3.5-hour whale watching excursion (includes transportation time and about 2 hours on the water) along with a photo stop of the Mendenhall glacier from the water (weather dependant). This tour begins when you board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mt. Roberts Aerial Tramway parking lot. Travel 30 minutes through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska, along the Gastineau Channel, past the Mendenhall Tidelands, through the Tongass forest and arrive at Auke Bay Harbor. “All aboard!” and you’re off for the Alaska waters of the Inside Passage and the ultimate whale watching experience.
On our quest for whales, we will also be on the lookout for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bears and more of Alaska’s wildlife. The star of the tour is the humpback whale, but we are always looking out for the playful orcas. Once we spot a whale the captain will slow down and allow you to go on the spacious viewing decks for a great photo opportunity. Our custom design provides unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well. Although the cabin is enclosed and heated, we recommend you dress in layers, after all, it is Alaska!
With our experienced captains and Juneau being one of the best ports for whale watching in Alaska, this tour will be an unforgettable experience.
A light snack and refreshments will be provided.
- Meet us at the convenient, central pick-up location in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
- To find your bus, check in with one of our Dock Representatives holding a "Juneau Tours or Juneau Whale Watch" sign, sporting a smile and wearing a bright blue hat.
- On your way to the boat harbor, listen to informative commentary from your driver about the capital city of Juneau.
- Aboard our smaller 24 or 49 passenger whale-watching boats, enjoy a comfortable heated cabin with wide-viewing windows and spacious decks for wildlife spotting.
- 5 minute photo stop on the water of the magestic Mendenhall Glacier.
- Bus transportation is provided back to the docks at the end of your tour.
Tour time is approximately 3-3.5 hours.
The meeting place is located on the street side in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway ticket office. Dock representatives are waiting under the aerial tramway cables, holding Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and wearing bright blue hats. All docks, with the exception of the AJ dock, are within walking distance (under 10 minutes.)
Check-in is required prior to boarding the bus.
Directions
- From the “AJ" dock look to the left as you exit the ship. The cruise line provides a "Downtown" shuttle, which will drop you right in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway. A small fee may apply. If you’re up for a walk, it's about 20 minutes. Ask the shore excursion representative from your cruise line for directions.
- Franklin Dock. Exit and turn left. Walk along the Sea Walk for approximately 8 minutes. You'll see the Mt. Roberts Tramway building in front of you. Right of the building, on the street side, in between two parking lots, is the meeting area under the cables.
- From the Tramway and Cruise Terminal docks, which are located next to the Mt. Roberts Tramway office, exit the ship and go straight ahead. Depending on your ship, walk right or left around the building to the street side and meet a representative under the cables. 1 - 2-minute walk.
- From the Steamship dock. Exit the ship and walk down the ramp to the Sea Walk, turn right, walk along the boardwalk and look for the Mt Roberts Tramway building. It’s on the left after passing Tracy's Crab Shack. 5 - 7-minute walk.
Check in with a Juneau Tours and Whale Watch dock representative in front of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, look for the Juneau Tours and Juneau Whale Watch signs, and bright blue hats. Please don’t board a bus before checking in. We often have multiple tours departing at the same time.
Questions? Call (907)523-6095.
Bus departure and return times are subject to change based on weather, unforeseen changes to cruise line schedules, or road delays. Be sure to ask your driver for exact times on the day of travel and plan accordingly.
The drop-off location is the same as the pickup location at the Mt. Roberts Tramway. Be sure to plan 5-10 minutes by foot back to your ship. AJ dock passengers must take a 5-minute shuttle back to their ship. On nice days, its a 20-minute walk.
The weather in Juneau AK is often wet (we live in a rainforest.) Bring layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a camera and/or video camera, and comfortable shoes. Eating is not permitted at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. Keep food and flavored drinks packed tightly away. Water is permitted. Please feel free to eat on our buses.
- All transportation is included.
- A light snack and water onboard whale watching boat.
- Toddlers and Infants under 2 are free.
Strollers and folding wheelchairs are welcome. Come a few minutes early and allow extra time for loading and unloading. There are three steps up and onto the bus. Car seats are not required or convenient. Infants may sit on your lap. Less gear to lug around the park!
Buses have limited cargo space and cannot store electric scooters or electric wheelchairs. We recommend booking excursions directly with your cruise line for any passengers requiring extra assistance. Viewing areas close to the glacier drop-off area (approximately 150 yards) provide excellent views.
We offer full refunds up until 24 hours before the tour date for any reason. After that - if any changes happen to the cruise ship schedule, we will first try to reschedule your tour and if that isn’t possible, we will still offer a full refund.